raffle

1 of 3

verb

raf·​fle ˈra-fəl How to pronounce raffle (audio)
raffled; raffling ˈra-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce raffle (audio)
Synonyms of rafflenext

intransitive verb

: to engage in a raffle

transitive verb

: to dispose of by means of a raffle
raffle off a turkey

raffle

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a lottery in which the prize is won by one of numerous persons buying chances

raffle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: rubbish
especially : a jumble or tangle of nautical equipment

Synonyms of raffle

Relevance

Noun (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of raffle in a Sentence

Noun (2) the front lawn was littered with the raffle that the roofers had left behind
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Many guests didn’t leave empty-handed either, as designer gifts and cash prizes were raffled off. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026 One of his quilts was raffled off at the Angola Prison Rodeo, a biannual public event, and raised $30,000 for the hospice program. — Sea Stachura, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
The university says eligible students must attend the game, scan a QR code displayed on the video board to enter the raffle and remain at the game until the fourth quarter to find out the winner. — Cbs Baltimore, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 The tuition raffle is part of a broader promotional push for Saturday’s game. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raffle

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English rafle, a dice game, from Middle French, dice game in which all the stakes can be won in a throw, literally, rake for a fire, from Middle High German raffel rake for a fire, from raffen to snatch, gather

Noun (2)

probably from French rafle act of snatching, sweeping, from Middle French, rake for a fire

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1680, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1709, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1543, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raffle was in 1543

Rhymes for raffle

See All Rhymes for raffle

Browse Nearby Words

raffish
raffle
rafflesia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raffle. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

raffle

1 of 2 verb
raf·​fle ˈraf-əl How to pronounce raffle (audio)
raffled; raffling ˈraf-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce raffle (audio)
: to dispose of by a raffle
raffle off a turkey

raffle

2 of 2 noun
: the sale of chances for a prize whose winner is the one whose ticket is picked at a drawing
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